“you can’t fall if you don’t climb, but there’s no joy in living your whole life on the ground” - Unknown

lake powell, Utah / Arizona

In the Summer of 2015, I got to go to Lake Powell, a huge lake spanning over Utah and Arizona. Leaving from Orange County, Ca, it took about 11 hours to get there, plus a sleep stop.

We stayed on a house boat for a week that had a slide off the back into the ocean, a kitchen and three bedrooms.

We cruised the lake on jetskis, took a Mastercraft boat out to wakesurf and hiked through slot canyons that brought water up to your chest. The lake was pure, wide open space and all you could see for miles were giant, gorgeous sedimentary rock formations.

golden gate bridge, sf

In November I had the opportunity to visit San Fransisco for the first time. The city was full of culture, hustle and bustle, reminding me of downtown Long Beach, CA, where I grew up.

For someone who enjoys exploring architectural structure and people watching, everywhere I looked something or someone new intrigued me. This trip expanded my view on society because this city was even more out-there than Long Beach, which is saying a lot. It was nice to feel at home in a city six hours away.

hiking, kona, hawaii

In the Summer of 2017 I flew to the big island of Kona, Hawaii with my mom and some close family friends. This trip was an incredible experience, meeting new people, trying new food and exploring the gorgeous landscape. This hike in particular was about two hours long, we walked though the rainforest while it started to lightly rain, cooling us off from the high humidity. Every turn we made on this hike brought new excitement, whether it was plants, animals or just the beauty of nature as a whole. I was always used to hiking through mountains and dirt trails but trekking through the rainforest gave me an entirely new respect for nature.

temecula balloon & wine festival

The very first event I worked with KIND Snacks was the Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival. I was put in charge of setting up the booth, cutting samples and talking to consumers.

This event made me realize I chose the perfect job. I was able to stay in Temecula for three days, enjoy the hot air balloon show and learn everything possible about field marketing. I was extremely lucky to be chosen to work this event without any training, I had to learn along the way and it strengthened my skills better than any training could have.

crafts n cranks, big bear, ca

Crafts N Cranks is an event for mountain biking and beer. Bikers from around the country come to race down the beautiful mountains at Snow Summit in Big Bear for a three-day weekend event. I was fortunate enough to work this event with KIND Snacks where we set up a tent as our main footprint, while also roaming the event ground occasion sampling the bikers, vendors and folks who are just there to watch the pros take the slopes and grab some brew.

Occasion sampling has always been my favorite part of being a brand ambassador at events because it allows you to form relationships and put a face to the brand, which is instrumental in gaining new consumers and maintaining brand loyalty. It is always fun when consumers and vendors get excited to receive a free snack, it gives you a good feeling.

backpacking through snow, mammoth, ca

This backpacking trip presented many challenges, one being the amount of snow we had to hike though. We had to shuffle our way down about half a mile of snow up to our knees with 40 pound backpacks on. Needless to say I fell about every five minutes.

women's march, Los Angeles

In January, 2017 I attended the Los Angeles women’s march with my best friend Katie. It was an incredible experience to share with hundreds of thousands of people who all share the same goal. Seeing everyone marching peacefully through the streets of LA was an overwhelming feeling of community and love; no violence, no riots, just people walking in an attempt to make a change.

Descending the mist trail, Yosemite National Park

Shown here is Vernal Falls descending the Mist Trail, which is named after the mist that this waterfall sprays at you while you walk by. We took this trail the last day of an eight day backpacking trip, our first day back into civilization and seeing society again. The mist trail is a high traffic, tourist trail that leads to half dome when completed as a day hike.

deer park monastery, san diego

The deer park monastery is one of my favorite places to be. You start the day off with a silent walk through nature, then you take a seat in the grass to mediate, surrounded by trees and buddhas.

The next segment of the day is an inspiring speech from one of the monks practicing at the monastery, which always gives you a new perception of society. Next you feast in silence an all vegan buffet that is to die for. You sit in nature, eat your delicious food and cannot say a word, you must absorb the sights and sounds around you and the flavors you are experiencing.

on top of half dome, yosemite national park

In the summer of 2015 I had the opportunity to climb half dome after seven days of backpacking from mammoth to Yosemite.

Excerpt from my blog post : “80 MILES, MAMMOTH TO YOSEMITE IN EIGHT DAYS ON FOOT.“Day eight. Yosemite. half dome. I had no idea what half dome was until I was in the middle of climbing up it. half dome tested patience, anxiety and strength that i didn’t even know I could feel in my body. this massive hike is in Yosemite national park in California and is made up of about three miles of dirt path that leads to “quarter dome,” followed by rock that you basically climb straight up by holding onto wires, using muscles you didn’t know existed, for a total elevation gain of 4,800 feet, according to the national parks service website.”

atv ride pit stop, puerto vallarta, mexico

Riding ATVs was part of a seven day cruise form long beach to three different ports in Mexico.

We stopped in Cabo San Lucas, where we had incredible tacos and chips with guac. The next stop was Mazetlan, where we indulged at an all-inclusive hotel on the beach for the day. The final stop was Puerto Vallarta where we did the ATV tour, where I ended up in the river on my ATV with ripped open Lululemon pants and a gash down my leg, but it was worth every second of the experience.

parasailing, kona, hawaii

In summer of 2017 I got the opportunity to go to Hawaii for the first time. Parasailing over the island of Kona was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. Despite holding onto my GoPro for dear life as the boat drivers dunked us into the water, it is my favorite thing I have done in life thus far. The views were surreal, you could see nothing but gorgeous, blue ocean for miles and miles, and all you could hear was your own breath.

ohana fest, doheny state beach, dana point, ca

Two years in a row I have had the opportunity to work the Ohana Fest in Doheny State Beach, Dana Point, CA.

Ohana fest is a three day music festival featuring aver 50 artists including headliners Eddie Vedder, Jack Johnson and Mumford and Sons. We sample Ohana guests all day for three days, as well as stock product in the artists’ vip booths, which led me to being able to meet Jack Johnson and a smaller band named Dr Dog.

Ohana is always a challenge but a lot of fun, it’s an event that takes renting a box truck to fit all of our product and set up, at least an hour each to set up and tear down the booth, but it is awlays worth it.

turkey trot, long beach, ca

I got the opportunity to work the Turkey Trot, Long Beach on thanksgiving 2017. We represented the Belmont Athletic Club during the race, where I have worked since 2015.

We handed water to the runners and cheered on all of the participants who are members of our club. It was a fun, feel-good way to start thanksgiving morning on beach.

zip lining in the snow, Big bear, ca

In January, 2017 I stayed in a huge, cozy cabin in big bear for New years. My best friend Katie and I got to go zip-lining in the snow, which was absolutely gorgeous. We zip-lined seven different courses and yes, I recorded every single on my GoPro and yes, the zip-line instructors made fun of me every time. However, this was my first time using the GoPro to capture an adrenaline rush so I was beyond thrilled with how amazing the footage turned out.